Mobile games are becoming more advanced every day — so it’s no wonder that more people are interested in pairing controllers with their devices.

One popular option is the PlayStation 3 (PS3) controller since most owners have since upgraded to the latest console and don’t use the old controller anymore. But doing this is not a matter of plug-and-play.

In fact, there is setup and some legwork involved in making sure your pairing dreams come true.

Here are two ways to pair your PS3 controller with your Android phone or tablet — along with their compatibility limitations and other requirements.

The simple program provides you with a small dialogue box stating the Bluetooth address of your controller’s master device. It also has a space that allows you to change the master device. Type your phone’s Bluetooth address (as provided by the compatibility checker) in this box and continue. The program will then install the correct drivers needed for your controller.

Some users find issues with this portion of the pairing process. Sometimes SixaxisPairTool does not run, with an error saying that “libusb0.dll” is missing.

One way to work around this is to go into the x86 folder in SixaxisPairTool’s installation folder and rename “libusb0_x86.dll” to “libusb0.dll”. Then copy the file, along with “libusb0.sys”, to the same folder as SixaxisPairTool.exe.

You should also access your device manager and uninstall the device named “HID compliant game controller”.

If you can get the program to run, but can’t install the drivers, you can use SCP Toolkit as an alternative driver installer.

You will then be able to move onto the mobile app portion of the pairing process.

Step 3: Pair Controller Through Sixaxis Controller App

Things get relatively easier when it comes to pairing your controller and the Sixaxis Controller app. Make sure that the app has superuser permissions before you start.

It’s as easy as literally just pressing a Start button. The app will then do a series of checks to make sure you have the correct drivers.

By pressing the “Pair Controller” button, you will be able to check that your phone’s Bluetooth address is now the controller’s master address. If you were unable to properly pair the controller with SixaxisPairTool, the Pair Controller function will do this for you — as long as the correct drivers are installed.

You will know the connection is successful when the dialog in the app says “Client 1 connected”. You can check that everything is working by moving the controller buttons around — the app should respond by moving its selections according to your buttons.

Using the Sixaxis Enabler app to connect your PS3 controller to your Android device is by far the easiest method to use. So why don’t more people promote it?

Well, the drawback of the app is its extremely limited compatibility. Since it doesn’t require root, it relies on your device to have the correct firmware support for PS3 controllers. The brands which most commonly work with the app include Samsung Galaxy and Nexus phones. Some LG flagships are also compatible. However the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S7, and LG G5 are notable devices that are not compatible with the app.

Like Sixaxis Controller, Sixaxis Enabler is also a paid app that will cost you $2.49. So if you’re one of the lucky people who has a device that will work with the app, what do you need to do?

The app itself is also extremely simple, with a minimalistic user interface that includes a screen with instructions and a troubleshooting page. At the very top of the app, you can see its status. When it says “Detecting Sixaxis, please attach controller”, you should do just that.

Step 2: Allow the App To Pair

Once you have connected the controller and switched it on, you will receive a prompt on whether you want to allow the app to access your device. Simply select OK and the app will begin syncing.

If your device is compatible, the status of the app will change to “Sixaxis Enabled”. You can then move the controller’s joysticks and press buttons to make sure that the app is registering these movements. If it is, lines of code will appear as you interact with the controller.

If your device is not compatible, rooting will not fix this unless you add a custom ROM that has the right firmware updates. While my HTC One M7 worked with Sixaxis Controller while rooted, it was not compatible with Sixaxis Enabler.

However, compatibility with the Samsung Galaxy S8 was confirmed.

Once your controller is paired to your device, you can simply open a game and begin using it.

We have outlined the two main methods Android owners can use. Some Sony Xperia phones actually have pairing functionality built into them. This allows you to simply plug in your PS3 controller and enable it in your Xperia settings.

While this is the most desirable solution, only select Xperia phones (usually the premium models) have this functionality. Meanwhile, recent releases such as the Xperia XA1 Ultra don’t have this functionality due to their lower price point.

I sucessfully connected my controller in the compatibility checker. But when I tried to connect in the actual app, first it doesnt say the local bluetooth address, even after i click start. Then after it says "Driver Starting..." it goes "Segmentation fault" and it doesn't connect. Any tips? I am using galaxy s5 btw

Hi there. i found problem.
i have rooted device, sixaxis checker ok, then i run it in full app, Start, successfully configured BT, controllers listening, pressing ps button, unplug, chnage IME but there is no activity from my bluetooth, so its not working without cable and with cable it works badly. what iam doing bad?
(sometimes - cause i tried it 1000X - its ask for password for connect on bluetooth, but there is no password...)

any game, yes, but you will need to run through the setup for each game to choose a custom profile. The best games will be those with on-screen analog control stick, which the app can map to the physical controller.

Megan decided to unite her Honors Degree in New Media and lifetime of geekiness to pursue a career in tech and gaming journalism. You can usually find her writing about a variety of topics and drooling over new gadgets and games.